Shepherdstown’s renowned American Conservation Film Festival (ACFF) kicks off its 13th season this week, October 23–25, with a full weekend of films, workshops, family programs, and special receptions. From over 150 submissions, 46 of the most outstanding current conservation films have been chosen for this fall’s festival. A listing of all films, film descriptions, and trailers can be seen here.

Dedicated to promoting outstanding films and the arts to educate and inspire people to become engaged in conservation, the motivating force behind ACFF is the power of imagery to engage, inform, and inspire.

Created by a group of volunteers who shared both a devotion to film arts and a commitment to conservation, ACFF was built on the belief that attitudes about the environment are shaped by our experiences, and that people and their cultures are an essential part of Earth’s biosphere.

The venture started and has remained in Shepherdstown, the location of two partners who have provided the venues for films since the Festival’s founding: the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) and Shepherd University. From the outset, ACFF struck a chord with local filmgoers and tourists from D.C. and the Baltimore/Maryland regions. ACFF has expanded its audience by keeping ticket prices low and presenting many of its films for free.

In addition to the dazzling selection of films, ACFF also invites guest lecturers to help frame the topics of films that illuminate pressing environmental issues. The organization’s ultimate aim is to provide venues for a diverse range of conservation films that rarely receive a wide showing, celebrate the festival in historic Shepherdstown, showcase independent, historic, publicly funded and Appalachian films, support young film makers, and offer education components that complement the selections.

The action starts this Thursday with a special event at the NCTC, and then continues into Friday with films throughout the evening, including an OPENING NIGHT PARTY at Domestic—sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Attendees will experience a lovely evening of discounted cocktails, delicious food, interaction with filmmakers and special guests, as well as fellow festivalgoers. Jazz/funk music will be provided by popular local band, Ginada Piñata. Find a full listing of ACFF special events here.

2015 also represents the fourth year of the ACFF Filmmaker Workshop. Speakers include ACFF filmmakers and representatives from the Smithsonian Channel, National Geographic, Greenpeace, and more. Festivalgoers are encouraged to take part in two days of hands-on workshops and expert seminars on the craft of conservation filmmaking. From camera gear to storytelling to distribution, the ACFF team of premier filmmakers and industry experts provide helpful insights for filmmakers and media producers of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. Find out more here.

Online purchases and registration at free events are highly encouraged to guarantee your seat. Tickets will also be available for purchase at The Local Source and the Shepherdstown Opera House. During the festival, tickets will be available for purchase onsite at the Opera House, the Byrd Center for Legislative Studies, and Reynolds Hall (Shepherd University). Credit Cards accepted at the Opera House—cash and checks preferred at the other venues. All ticket information can be found here.

The ACFF full schedule of films can be found here, and a listing of all venues here.

ACFF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dependent upon support from people like YOU. There are a number of ways you can help. All you need to know about supporting ACFF can be found here.